QUICK STUDY : A weekly digest of new research on major health topics

hay fever

An over-the-counter drug may do as well as prescription drug.

· THE QUESTION With spring comes a stuffy nose for many people as seasonal allergies kick in. Certain drugs target nasal congestion, a symptom generally not helped by antihistamines. How does an over-the-counter anti-congestion drug compare with one that requires a prescription?

· THIS STUDY randomly assigned 58 adults with ragweed allergies to take Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) or the prescription drug Singulair (montelukast sodium) every morning. After two weeks, symptoms -- including sneezing, itchy eyes and stuffed nose -- had declined in both groups. Those taking Sudafed reported somewhat more improvement in nasal congestion; a device that measures nasal air flow indicated little or no difference between the groups. Both groups indicated the treatment improved their quality of life and was easily tolerated.

· WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THESE FINDINGS? Anyone with seasonal allergies caused by such substances as ragweed pollen. More than half of all Americans are believed to be sensitive to such allergens.

· CAVEATS Drugs were taken only in the morning. This may explain why participants did not report problems with sleep, a common side effect of Sudafed, which has stimulant properties. Findings were based on recording and analysis of symptoms by the participants. Merck, which makes Singulair, contributed funds and content suggestions for the study, and two of its authors received fees from Merck.

· FIND THIS STUDY February issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery; abstract available online at http://www.archoto.com .

· LEARN MORE ABOUT hay fever at http://www.mayoclinic.com and http://www.aaaai.org (search for "rhinitis").